Thursday, October 29, 2009

Happy Halloween!

"I've learned there are three things you don't discuss with people:
religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin" - Linus

Satch said he wanted a spooky pumpkin this year and even drew a picture of what he wanted. He explained that he wanted a big pumpkin eating a little one. He wanted spooky eyes NOT triangle eyes. He wanted a skull nose and BIG teeth.


I carved while he instructed. Once again, he would not touch the pumpkin goop because, he said, "it smells like a diaper pail" and then he added, "why does pumpkin pie taste good?" And exclaimed, "Mama, you made my dream come true!"

Here's a peek at pumpkins past:
Satch was inspired by the hundred of pumpkins we saw at the Annual Pumpkin Glow! He examined them all quite closely commenting on various details and using his pumpkin light necklace to illuminate the ones that had grown dark. Before heading home, we enjoyed a moonlight hayride.



















We made some tiny chocolate Autumn cookies to take to Satchel's Creative Zone class.
































With the leftover dough we made some animal cookies for our stash...



and some robots.

The robot cookie cutter was terrible. We could only get 3 cookies to turn out. The rest got stuck in the cutter and was impossible to remove. We tried everything...re-chilling the dough; flouring the cutter; spray the cutter with Pam...eventually we gave up.

*The Fall Forest Cutters and Animal Cutters are spring loaded and were so easy that Satch was able to do it all by himself.

We have TWO Halloween parties to attend! Satch wanted to be Max from Where the Wild Things Are and I made his costume last weekend. I'll post some pics next week. Robert and I will be wild things, of course.

*I would like to dedicate this post to my childhood best friend, Nancy, who will celebrate her 46th ride around the sun today. Happy Birthday, pal, I love you so!

Happy Halloween!
See you Monday!

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posted by Wendy at 5:08 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

An Idea



Mama, I have an idea!

What is it?

We can put our bed in the playground n' sleep there.

What about bugs?

We can build a wall!

What if it gets cold?

We can build a fire!

What about food?

We can make sandwiches and eat 'em all week!


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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I'm NOT Tired!!!


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Monday, October 26, 2009

Most Alive Monday: A Boy, a Bug, and a Hammock

"Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,

















Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly in my bed.















Once I heard and answered all the questions of the crickets,















And joined the crying of each falling dying flake of snow,













Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .













How did it go? How did it go?" - Shel Silverstein













It was a warm October afternoon. They stared at each other nearly nose to nose. The grasshopper began cleaning itself while sitting on his finger and Satch squealed with delight. I had to choke back tears at the tenderness of this moment. S0 grateful for the the gift that this creature has given my son...to be so close to something so wild.

"Mama", he said, "it's teaching me its language"!

I immediately thought of "Forgotten Language" by Shel Silverstein.

*About Most Alive Monday: I've decided to make at least one "most alive choice" each day and post my favorite each Monday. This, of course, is to motivate me to consciously "live juicy"! I hope you'll join me and share your "most alive moment" in the comments section so we may inspire each other.


And NOW...the winners of the Feeleez Giveaway are...


Shelley & Tanya904! (please send shipping info to wendy at wendy cook dot com, thanks!)

Thank you for playing...and thank you, Kris, for sharing yourself and this wonderful game with all of us!

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posted by Wendy at 5:01 AM 1 comments

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Ghoulies & Ghosties

Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long Leggedy Beasties
and Things that Go Bump in the Night - Scottish Saying





































Must get cracking on Satchel's costume. Have a good weekend.

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posted by Wendy at 5:30 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Spooky Lacing Skull

"Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with scary, spooky, haunted, or forbidden in the title" - Shaggy (Scooby-Doo)
 
We've had several back to back rainy days. We made bat puppets, hung a giant spider web in the dining room, made and ate lots of S'mores. Then, when I thought I'd run out of things to fill the day, I made some lacing cards out of old cardboard that I had tucked away in the studio.





















Nothing is measured...I just poked some holes in the cardboard with a screw punch. Then I threaded some black yarn into a non-sharp plastic yarn needle and showed Satch how to poke the needle through the back of the card. I did the left eye and he did the rest, stopping only to ask a few questions about where to poke the needle next.









We listened to the rain and planned our Halloween costumes.

Still time to enter last week's giveaway!

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posted by Wendy at 5:21 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Panning

"Notice something you have never noticed before...
And beholden to what is tactile, and thrilling.
Live with the beetle and the wind." - Mary Oliver
















Our favorite pumpkin farm now has a sluice for the wee folk to pan for gems, arrowheads or fossils. And who doesn't love playing with mud and water?

They were out of fossil and arrowhead bags so Satch panned for gems and was pleased to unearth bits of topaz, obsidian amethyst emerald, fluorite, sodalite, pyrite, obsidian and rose quartz.

Still a few days left to enter last week's giveaway!

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posted by Wendy at 5:31 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 19, 2009

Unreluctant Soul: 46

"It spells Happy BIRFDAY!" - Satch














  • Gooey birthday s'mores fresh out of our fireplace
  • Dinner NOT cooked by me
  • Cupcakes glitzed with every sprinkle in the cabinet
  • A haircut
  • Swell gifts wrapped and opened by my son
  • Solo screening of Where the Wild Things Are
  • Truffles on my doorstep
  • Many happy wishes
And a blessing to my Mom who celebrates her birthday today...

On this echoing day of your birth,
May you open the gift of solitude
In order to receive your soul;Enter the generosity of silence
To hear your hidden heart;
Know the serenity of stillness
To be enfolded anew
By the miracle of your being.

- John O'Donohue


*Don't forget to enter last week's giveaway...three days left!

*About Most Alive Monday: I've decided to make at least one "most alive choice" each day and post my favorite each Monday. This, of course, is to motivate me to consciously "live juicy"! I hope you'll join me and share your "most alive moment" in the comments section so we may inspire each other.

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posted by Wendy at 5:47 AM 0 comments

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Mom to Mom (& Giveaway): Kris Laroche

"All you need is love, love, love is all you need" - Lennon/McCartney
I was given the opportunity to sample a wonderful and meaningful game called, Feeleez. It's a game that teaches children to recognize the feelings of others as well as help them to express their own feelings. Feeleez was created by three parents who recognize the importance of meaningful play. Feeleez is printed with soy based ink on recycled cardboard. Satch enjoyed the game quite a bit, as did I and it has become a family favorite. You will have a chance to win one of these games at the end of this post. I wanted to talk to one of the creators about this lovely game and so it is with great pleasure that introduce, Kris Laroche...
Mom: Kris Laroche
Of: Elliot (4), Sascha (1)
Where: Montana
Site: Natural Parenting Center & Feeleez
Blog: Natural Parenting Center Blog & Talk Feeleez


1. In what ways has becoming a mother changed you?

You mean besides becoming totally addicted to chocolate after dinner? (I tell myself I “need” the energy to get through the wild evening hours, but really, I just love it!) Motherhood has changed me, indeed. I remember many days after my first baby was born, holding him and crying, lying on the floor on my back in the middle of the day, and crying, rocking him at night and crying, just so moved by this profound and ordinary and magical experience.

-I have a radically different relationship with my body, more accepting and in awe of it, including (though not always adoringly) the soft and squishy parts.

-I know what matters to me. It pretty much all boils down to love. Loving them, loving me, being love.

-my desire to strip away all of my old “crap”

-emotional baggage from my childhood, old conditioning and habits that are limiting

-is FIERCE because I do not want to pass any of this onto these human beings entrusted to me.

-my calling, the work that I now do, has been born out of becoming a mother. It fulfills me and moves me all of the time.

-it has made my relationship with my partner harder, in many ways, and it has also given me the motivation to stay planted in it and keep nurturing it.

2. What message would you like to share with other mothers?

To let yourself be transformed by this. It is the great opportunity of our lives to become who we are meant to be. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to love yourself and your children unconditionally.

3. How do you orchestrate your passions as Mother, Parenting Coach, Business Woman?

I try to keep each role categorized. During the day is mother. I try not to get on the computer and to give myself and my energy to our day together (my kids are still young but we are life learners-no schooling-so this will continue to be how our days flow). Then at night, I go for it with this work. For now, I’m not doing any one-on-one coaching because I don’t want to have any kind of schedule or time commitment. I love following the flow. Instead I’m writing the blog as a way of giving away the coaching and my partner with NPC Nathan takes on clients for coaching for us.

4. What inspired you to create the Natural Parenting Center?

I want children and parents to get what they need to thrive, which is the single most profound change we can make for our world, as well. I want parenting practices around the world to reflect what we now know about what children need for optimal growth and development-attachment, connection, bonding, unconditional love, respect. I want parents to receive the information, the support, the community they need to enjoy their life with their children and to realize their full potential. I feel sad about many choices I made with my first baby. I didn’t trust my instincts or fully follow my heart. Now I am surrounded by the kind of information, support and inspiration (much of which comes from my dear friends Nathan, Natalie, Kelli and Gabe who are a huge part of NPC) that enables me to parent intelligently and humanely. I want that for everyone who desires it.

5. What inspired you to create the Feeleez game?

Feeleez grew out of a conversation. Nathan and Natalie and I spent many days with our kids talking about raising children, the state of the world, and the connection between the two. We kept returning to the idea of empathy. Then we wondered about tools to help our own kids develop empathy, towards themselves and others, sothe idea of Feeleez was born. Natalie drew the pictures and we all grew the business. We have remained steadfast in our commitment to keep parenting as our priority and have never used childcare to get things done. It has made for some pretty fun and crazy adventures (piling packages to take to Fed Ex in with kids and bikes and snacks for the day. Feeleez is a dream business. We feel so grateful to be part of something this magical.

6. What are some practical things that parents can do to make the most profound impact in the lives of their children?

Be with them-as much as possible and then more. Create a mindset of gratitude about this so that you enjoy it. Connect with others-in person and online-to give you the empathy and support that you need because parenting with unconditional love is a radical act in our world today. Stop using any kind of reward (bribe, treats, gold stars). Stop using any kind of punishment (including, especially time outs) Stop evaluating in any way (“that was good”, “you are smart”) Accept all feelings and be empathic (listening is more important than understanding why they are feeling or doing what they are doing) Heal your own emotional wounds so that you can be present for your children (all triggers are about you, not about them) Be kind to your child. This does not mean ‘permissive’. You will say no, but an attitude of kindness and respect towards this capable, beautiful, sensitive being is essential. See every behavior as an attempt to meet a need (stop believing all the stories in your mind that are based on fear, judgment, “shoulds”) and seek to meet the need behind the behavior. Be kind and gentle with yourself. You are learning all the time. You are a capable, beautiful, sensitive being, too.

7. Have you experienced judgment or disapproval by parents who are more traditional in their parenting approach? How do you handle this situation?

Oh boy oh boy. My experience? I’ve stopped hanging out with people over stuff like this. I find it so uncomfortable, for me and my children, that I decided it wasn’t worth it. Taking a non-traditional approach to parenting is really choosing a way of life. You make this commitment to your children and yourself, and then it is so important and helpful to seek out people who are making the same commitment. I think that things will circle around and these people may be in my life again in the future, but for now, I surround myself by inspiring people. There is so much within myself that I am changing because of the way that I was raised that I find I’m usually not strong enough (or just don’t want to put my energy into it) to hang out with people who parent really differently. I find it painful to see children treated that way. I am judged for how I parent, to be sure. Sometimes it bothers me, but mostly because I want everyone to at least have all the information which is so not readily available to the mainstream, so that they can at least be making conscious choices!

8. Lastly, what moves you, grounds you, fills your well?

Oh…many things. Knitting and sewing things for my family while I listen to something inspiring or funny late at night is wonderful. Running and yoga, though very very rare these days, feel soooo good to me. Connecting with other awakening and awakened beings. Writing the blog. Eating chocolate and drinking tea. Reading beautiful blogs like this one!! And more than anything, dropping my mental struggle and letting myself fall deeply into what is unfolding right in front of my face. That’s the best of all.

*If you would like a chance to win a Feeleez game, simply leave a comment by Thursday October 22nd. The winners will be picked by Random Generator and announced on Monday October 26th. Please note that if you leave an anonymous comment, I have no way to reach you if you win.
In other news, tomorrow I'll be celebrating my 46th ride around the sun! Have a good weekend. See you Monday!

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posted by Wendy at 5:06 AM 23 comments

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Weekend Highlights Part Two: Pumpkin

Your clear eye is the one absolutely beautiful thing. - sylvia plath

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posted by Wendy at 5:35 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Weekend Highlights Part One: Apple Pickin'

There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall. - Robert Frost













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posted by Wendy at 5:15 AM 0 comments

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Woolly Bear

"Mama, YOOK! He's wearing a sweater and teeny tiny flip flops and goggles...surely he is...lets name him Ruffley" - Satch





















Big weekend! A hay ride, a concert and a trip to the orchard to do some apple pickin' because Satch wants to make homemade applesauce and we all want to eat it! In anticipation of our appley-outing we made this apple sushi for lunch. It was a big hit so now I'm thinking of other combos whilst the novelty lasts!


Have a good weekend!

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posted by Wendy at 5:35 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Mo' Buggin'

"Mama, bugs don't yawn" - Satch

We took Satch to the Insect Zoo to see a tarantula feeding up close and personal. Ramona pounced on the cricket, but decided she wasn't hungry afterall. So, the entomologists brought out some friends to hold. Satch fell in love with the hissing cockroach of Madagascar. Above he is holding a ginormous Horse Lubber Grasshopper. The friends were very excited so it was difficult to get a clear photo.

The above Lubber made this respectable critter, that Satch found at the playground, look tiny.

Our boy loves his bugs!


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posted by Wendy at 5:23 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Let the Wild Rumpus Start!

"That very night, in Max's room, a forest grew, and grew - until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became a world all around..." - Maurice Sendak

Did I happen to mention that the film "Where the Wild Things Are" opens on my birthday! I'm beyond excited to see this film because it's one of my all time favorite children's books.



And did you know that Crocodile Creek sells the beloved puppets?



YES......PUPPETS!


They are super plush for cuddling with the added bonus of being a puppet for pretend play.




We're all about creative play, especially puppets. These puppets really bring the story to life. As Satch told his daddy during dinner, "we had a wild rumpus and it was AWESOME!"

WE LOVE THEM SO!





The cool peeps at Crocodile Creek are offering FREE shipping to Mother Rising readers! Just use the code WILDTHING at check out and get your little wild thing a puppet or two (or any of their other wonderful products). The offer expires January 1st 2010. You can tuck them away for a holiday gift...


(or try to)

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posted by Wendy at 5:27 AM 1 comments

Monday, October 05, 2009

Most Alive Monday: Satchel's Modern Circus

"The point is to live everything" -Rilke

Satch seems to be enthralled with modern circus (much to his mama's delight) and wanted to work on his "act". So, I took him to At Play Cafe to let him practice on some mats.

Satchel's Modern Circus from wendy cook on Vimeo.




















*About Most Alive Monday: I've decided to make at least one "most alive choice" each day and post my favorite each Monday. This, of course, is to motivate me to consciously "live juicy"! I hope you'll join me and share your "most alive moment" in the comments section so we may inspire each other.

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posted by Wendy at 5:36 AM 1 comments

Thursday, October 01, 2009

CAT Scan

There are no ordinary cats - Colette

While Satch and I were scanning the pages of his coloring books, Elvis the cat (a heat seeking missile) hopped on the scanner bed sending Satch into fits of laughter...


Yes...I'm still quite sicky sick sick. Thankfully Satch hasn't gotten it. Robert has some cold sx like Satch did last week. I walk around with vintage hankies tucked in my pocket so that I can cough into them and not the air. I've got an air filter running upstairs and downstairs 24/7. When I get little bursts of energy, I hobble around with germicide wipes and clean surfaces before needing to sit and catch my breath again.

Satch has been surprisingly patient and has been doing a great job of entertaining himself. He doesn't seem too keen on me touching his toys because he totally understands the whole germ transmission thing...which means he's also doing a pretty good of tidying up.

The dust bunnies, however, are threatening to take over the camp. The laundry is still in the basket. And the lawn (sigh)....lets just say I've got my work cut out for me when I'm up and runnin' again!


Have a good weekend.

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posted by Wendy at 5:45 AM 0 comments